Shiplap Calculator

Enter your ceiling height and wall widths. Board rows, rip sizes, drawings and a cut list update as you type.

Panel schedule

WallWall widthPanelsPanel widthsPanel heightEnd revealBetween

Cut list and material

Install tips
  1. Find and mark the studs. Nail every board into framing; a pencil line at each stud speeds this up.
  2. Paint the wall first. Roll the gap color on before you hang boards, so drywall doesn't show through the gaps.
  3. Start from a level line. Snap a line for the first row. Don't follow the floor or ceiling.
  4. Keep the gaps even. Nickel gap boards space themselves. For square-edge boards, use a nickel or a spacer.
  5. Stagger the butt joints. On walls longer than a board, offset the joints from row to row and land them on studs.
  6. Rip the end boards to the sizes in the cut list. Put the factory edge where it shows.
  7. Caulk the edges, not the gaps. Caulk where boards meet trim and corners, then paint.

Common questions

How much shiplap do I need?

Count the rows: divide the shiplap height by the board coverage and round up. Each row runs the full wall width, so rows times wall width gives the linear feet. The planner does this for every wall, adds 10% for waste, and counts boards in the length you buy.

What is board coverage?

The face each board adds to the wall once it's installed. It's less than the board's actual width, because each board laps under the next. Check the product listing, or measure from the edge of one installed board to the same edge of the next.

How do I avoid a thin strip at the top?

Lay out the whole wall before you start. If the last row would be less than half a board, rip the top and bottom rows to the same width instead. The planner does this for you and lists each ripped board.

Should shiplap be horizontal or vertical?

Horizontal boards are the classic look and suit most rooms. Vertical boards draw the eye up and can make a low ceiling feel taller. Pick one per wall under Boards.

Can I put shiplap only below a chair rail?

Yes. Choose Below chair rail and the boards run from the baseboard to the bottom of the chair rail. Full height runs from the baseboard to the crown or ceiling.

Can I mix shiplap and picture frame molding?

Yes. Set any wall's Style to Picture frame to lay out wainscoting boxes on it. For a room that's all picture frame molding, use the wainscoting planner.